Bengaluru: After the Karnataka High Court expressed its concern with the BBMP for failing to take action against officials involved in the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) scam, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath promised the filing of criminal cases.

Over six FIRs have been registered against officials for their involvement in TDR irregularities so far. Future TDR projects will be handed over to BDA, he said.

Legal action will be taken against retired and current employees, said Girinath. He also said that a list of those involved in the illegal activity has also been prepared, and the government is getting ready to file criminal charges against employees in service.

Among the accused are retired executive engineer Ramegowda D., retired Joint Commissioner Devaraj K. S., retired Assistant Joint Commissioner Umanand Rai, retired Assistant Tahsildar Gangegowda M. A., Retired Surveyor Gullappa, and retired Village Accountant Agasemani. Following a court case about the issue, a FIR was recently filed in connection with the alleged fraud that happened in 2015.

In the TDR scheme, owners will get Development Right Certificates in exchange for handing their land to the municipality for development works. The allegations are that Palike officials allegedly fudged details and other irregularities. The government has now told BBMP to update the earlier TDR scheme in accordance with the new Act and hand it over to BDA.